KARACHI: The Pakistan FMCG Importers Association (PFIA) has urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to review new packaging requirements for imported goods, warning that the rules could disrupt legitimate imports and increase business costs.
The concern follows the issuance of Sales Tax General Order No 8 of 2026.
Under the order, importers must ensure that products covered under the Third Schedule of the Sales Tax Act carry the retail price, sales tax and total price in a clear, permanent and non-removable manner on the original packaging.
The order also bars the use of separate stickers or removable labels.
The FBR introduced the requirement after identifying gaps between declared import values and retail prices.
According to the tax authority, some imported products are sold at prices up to 100% higher than their declared import value, creating room for tax evasion and smuggled consumer goods to undercut tax-paid imports.
PFIA Chairperson Anjum Nisar said the requirement does not reflect the practical realities of international trade. He said multinational manufacturers produce goods for several countries on common production lines and follow global packaging standards.
Nisar said requiring foreign manufacturers to print Pakistan-specific retail prices and tax details, or prepare separate packaging for Pakistan, was not commercially viable.
He said the final retail price of imported products can only be determined after arrival in Pakistan because it depends on freight charges, exchange rate changes, customs duties and other import-related costs.
The PFIA urged the FBR to allow importers to display retail prices through secure, tamper-proof stickers or another locally applied mechanism after customs clearance.
Nisar said such a system would provide accurate pricing information to consumers while avoiding disruption to legitimate import operations.
He warned that implementing the current directives without stakeholder consultation could affect supplies of imported products, raise costs and create market distortions.
The PFIA called on the government and the FBR to engage with importers and other stakeholders to develop a mechanism that protects revenue without disrupting legal trade.
